Hubert Gray's military career is highlighted on The Museum of the Regiments Mural of Honor. There is also a Hub Gray fonds at the Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry Regimental Museum and Archives.

Some restrictions may apply for personal information. See file listing.

James H. Gray was one of nine children in a family that inherited their wealth from ancestors involved in smuggling, shipping and sea-faring. His father, also James Gray, was a respected water-color artist; at least one of his paintings "A Saxon Doorway," was exhibited at the Royal Academy.James H. Gray met his wife Harriet Bernsden at an afternoon musicale while visiting Hamburg, Germany. They were married October 8th, 1866 in Hamburg and honeymooned in France and Spain. James had served as a midshipman for five years and eventually established his own fleet of cargo ships. The Grays had four children, Archie, Edith, (Alwyn, died young) and Charles. James died at the age of 96.

Published

Series consists of copies and originals of archival documents relating to the history James H. Gray and his family (James Gray [father] and Harriet Bernsden [mother]). Records include a 1903 Letter of Marque to pillage French shipping, photographs, genealogical information, an article on his father "James Gray, Victorian Artist," correspondence (1856), and a letter of admission to the United States of America (1925).

Charles Frederick Gray was born December 17, 1879/1880 to James H. Gray and Harriet (Bernsden). He ran away to the sea in 1894, at the age of 13, while visiting family friends in Wales, eventually returning in 1897. He spent the three years as a midshipman apprentice officer on the clipper ship Oronsay, circumnavigating the globe three times, sailing around Cape Horn three times, and survived a 1897 shipwreck in the North Atlantic.Gray moved to Canada in 1897, arriving via Steerage and Ellis Island. After working briefly in New York, he went to Nelson B.C. and worked at a smelter in a mine, studying electrical engineering at night through the International Correspondence School. Gray worked for various engineering firms in Canada, New York, and England, helping to install the first Otis Jenson electrical elevator at the Old Waldorf Astoria Hotel and supervised the transformation of the London underground trains from steam to electricity. In 1911 he was sent to Winnipeg to install the main power plant at Point du Bois, eventually going into business for himself as a Consulting Engineer.Gray ran in four civic elections, was twice elected to the Board of Control on the City Council (1917-1918) and twice elected as Mayor of Winnipeg (1919 and 1920). Gray was Mayor of Winnipeg during the Winnipeg General Strike of 1919, standing firm during cries for a parade by the strikers, and surviving an attempt on his life.Gray and his wife Edith Curran had three children, Charles Jr. (who died in 1925), Eileen, Avis, and Hubert (Hub). Following his time as Mayor, Gray returned to private life as a Consulting Engineer, and later founded The Cutty Sark Club, and the On-To-The-Bay Club, credited with the development of the Hudson Bay railway line. After 30 years in Winnipeg, the Grays moved to British Columbia where Gray became involved in mining ventures. He died in Victoria in June, 1954.

Published

This series contains records relating to the Winnipeg General Strike during which Charles F. Gray was mayor of Winnipeg. There are letters the mayor received and drafted and sent to the police, provincial and federal politicians including the acting prime minister, letters the mayor received from citizens and various agencies, telegrams, reports and notes. The series also includes photographs of the strike, proclamations made by the mayor and the strike committee, and copies of several issues of the special edition strike newspaper and clippings from other newspapers.

no restrictions

Winnipeg General Strike digital collection https://cdm22007.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p22007coll14A listing of files is available at speccoll@ucalgary.ca

Hubert (Hub) Gray was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on August 27th, 1928, the fourth and last child of James H. Gray and Edith (Curran). He attended public school in 1935-1941 in Winnipeg until the family moved to British Columbia in 1941, first in Ashcroft B.C. (1941-1942), and then Victoria (1942-1947).Although too young to join the army for the 2nd World War, Gray did join the Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's) at the age of 16 in 1946, and at 18, a member of the regiment. While a member of the reserves he took part in Exercise Sweetbriar in the Yukon along with 1,000 other Canadian troops, and 10,000 American personnel. He joined the Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) in 1950 and served as a Lieutenant in the Second Battalion 1950-1953. Gray was sent overseas to the Korean War in 1951 and took part in the Battle of Kapyong. He was later a Paratroop Training Instructor, and served at the Currie Barracks in Calgary until he resigned his commission in 1953.Gray is an active member of the Korean War Veterans Association of Canada and has travelled to Korea on a number of occasions to commemorate anniversaries. He is also involved in speaking and educational engagements on the Korean War. Gray published the book "Beyond the danger close: the Korean experience revealed, 2nd battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian light infantry PPCLI" in 2003, and also written several articles on the subject.Gray met his wife, Pamela Cowie, in Calgary and they married in 1953. They have four sons, Charles, Randall, Christopher and Timothy.

Published

Series consists of records related to the personal life and military career of Hub Gray. Records include family and military correspondence and photographs, and records related to the research and writing of his book on the Korean War.